Barely five minutes ago, a declaration of shock from Michael Jordan set fire to social networks and upset the world of women’s basketball. The living legend, champion of NBA six times and undeniable of this sport, launched a scathing criticism against Angel Reese, the rising WNBA star, saying: “No skill, just a queen of the sexy photo. A sentence that sparked an unprecedented storm in the sporting and media sphere.
The commentary, apparently published in a private interview which quickly disclosed on the Internet, already becomes viral. The reactions come from all sides: players, coaches, journalists, influencers and fans hide their astonishment or indignation. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtags #spectangelreese, #jordanoutofline and #basketballStorm explode in the global trend, with millions of interactions in a few minutes.
Angel Reese, a former star of the University of LSU and today one of the most publicized faces of the female league, quickly established itself not only by its aggressive and confident style of play, but also by its strong presence on social networks. Her assertive look, her outspokenness and her glamorous photo sessions make her such an admired and criticized personality. For many, she embodies a new generation of athletes who assume their femininity while dominating in the field. But for others, including Michael Jordan visibly, this image blurs the sports message.
According to sources close to the scene, Jordan was asked about the evolution of women’s basketball and the growing popularity of players like Reese. His answer, First Evasive, has changed in controversy when he said that some stars “build their career more on Instagram than on the accusation”. He would then have directly targeted Reese, qualifying his success as “based on buzz and appearance, not on real technical skills”.
Reese’s reaction was rapid. True to her style, she answered a hard post on Instagram, where she wrote: “I fought for each point, each victory. I am beautiful, yes, but I am particularly a fighter. Whether or not.
Influential figures from the world of sport have also risen in the niche to defend Reese. Shaquille O’Neal, a great defender of women’s basketball, posted: “Jordan, I admire you, but you are wrong. Angel has talent. He deserves respect. Likewise, the star of the WNBA Breanna Stewart tweeted:” This kind of comment perpetuates a sexism that must be eliminated from sport. »»
But behind the controversy, hides a broader debate: that of the place of women in sport, and even more, of the freedom of sportsmen to exist outside of imposed standards. Angel Reese has become a symbol of this struggle. Her trip is that of a young black woman, talented, who has broken the codes of traditional basketball and who asserts himself without compromise.
Jordan, despite its status as an icon, is not above criticism. For many, his words reflect an obsolete vision of sport and female success. Others, however, believe that it raises a real subject: confusion between image and performance in the era of social networks. The debate is divided, but one thing is certain: it highlights persistent tensions around the evolution of female sport.
This case can have lasting consequences. Not only on Jordan’s reputation, but also on the dynamics of WNBA, which is experiencing a real boom. Sponsors could react, suspended collaborations and more committed speeches could emerge, to strengthen the voice of female athletes.
Angel Reese continues to move forward. On the field, her performances speak for themselves: rebounds, counterattacks, leadership … She is one of the most eminent players of the season. Outside the field, it attracts the spotlight and arouses the debate, but above all, it inspires a new generation. And if some like Jordan see only one image, millions of fans see a star in full ascent.
The world of sport is constantly evolving, and the old legends must sometimes give way to a new era. Angel Reese is not content to play basketball-it redefines what it means to be athlete in the 21st century. The media storm caused by this declaration by Michael Jordan can only be the beginning of a much deeper conversation on stereotypes, respect and recognition of women in high -level sport.
